Dynamic cyclic extension for fast access to subscriber terminals (G.Fast)

ABSTRACT

Concepts and technologies for dynamic cyclic extension (“CE”) for Fast Access to Subscriber Terminals (“G.Fast”) are described. According to one aspect described herein, a system can synchronize a G.Fast modem with the default CE value, measure an upstream signal attenuation of a G.Fast cable in a G.Fast circuit to obtain an upstream signal attenuation value, determine a new CE value based upon the upstream signal attenuation value, and determine if the new CE value is not equal to a default CE value. In response to determining that the new CE value is not equal to the default CE value, the system can update and apply a CE value for the G.Fast cable in the G.Fast circuit to the new CE value. If, however, the new CE value is equal to the default CE value, the system can instead apply the default CE value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/288,919, entitled “Dynamic Cyclic Extension forFast Access to Subscriber Terminals (G.Fast),” filed Feb. 28, 2019, nowU.S. Pat. No. 10,951,447, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the telecommunications industry has focused primarilyon mobile broadband technologies, such as Long-Term Evolution (“LTE”),LTE-Advanced (“LTE-A”), and, more recently, 5^(th) generation (“5G”)technologies. Fixed broadband, however, still offers many advantagesover mobile broadband, including overall reliability, speed, and cost.Currently, the state-of-the-art for fixed broadband service utilizes afiber-to-the-home/building (“FTTH/B”) infrastructure to provide fixedbroadband services to customers' homes and buildings. However, theimplementation of FTTH/B network-wide is met with many financial,regulatory, and strategic burdens. Rather than implement FTTH/Bthroughout the network, some service providers are exploring ways toimprove upon the existing infrastructure and hardware currentlydeployed, such as using existing copper telecommunications cables withnew broadband access standards.

Service providers can improve their fixed broadband networks byimplementing Fast Access to Subscriber Terminals (“G.Fast”). G.Fast is abroadband access standard for local loops shorter than 500 meters, andprovides up to 2 gigabits per second dedicated per customer, dependingon the loop length. G.Fast has been standardized in referencespecifications provided by the International Telecommunication Union(“ITU”) Telecommunications Standardization Sector (“ITU-T”), theEuropean Telecommunications Standards Institute (“ETSI”), and theBroadband Forum.

G.Fast utilizes a parameter called cyclic extension (“CE”). The requiredvalue for CE depends on the cable length used in a given G.Fast circuit.If the CE is too small, inter-symbol interference (“ISI”) may result.ISI is a type of distortion of a signal in which one symbol interfereswith subsequent symbols. ISI can cause errors during data transmission.If the CE is larger than necessary, unneeded overhead is added. Atechnician must know in advance the cable length for a giveninstallation to obtain a correct value for the CE. The cable length canbe measured manually by the technician, but this is very time-consuming.For this reason, many service providers choose to instead set a maximumvalue for the CE to account for any possible cable length. This yields aless data efficient implementation of G.Fast that can affect the enduser's experience.

SUMMARY

Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to aspects ofdynamic cyclic extension (“CE”) for Fast Access to Subscriber Terminals(“G.Fast”). According to one aspect disclosed herein, a system caninclude a processor and a memory. The memory can have instructionsstored thereon that, when executed by the processor, cause the processorto perform operations. In particular, the system can execute theinstructions via the processor to synchronize a G.Fast modem, such aslocated at customer premises, with a default CE value, to measure anupstream signal attenuation of a G.Fast cable in a G.Fast circuit toobtain an upstream signal attenuation value, to determine a new CE valuebased upon the upstream signal attenuation value, and to determine ifthe new CE value is not equal to a default CE value. In response todetermining that the new CE value is not equal to the default CE value,the system can update a CE value for the G.Fast cable in the G.Fastcircuit to the new CE value.

In some embodiments, the system can measure the upstream signalattenuation of the G.Fast cable in the G.Fast circuit to obtain theupstream signal attenuation value in accordance with a standard. Forexample, the ITU specifies a method for measuring the upstream signalattenuation of a G.Fast cable.

In some embodiments, the system can determine the new CE value basedupon the upstream signal attenuation value by using a cross-referencetable to determine the new CE that cross references the upstream signalattenuation value. The CE is used in G.Fast to provide a guard intervalbetween adjacent symbols, thereby protecting against ISI. ITU G.997.2section 7.1.1.3 defines the CE as the cyclic prefix (L_(cp)), withdimensions of N/64 samples, where N is the index of the highestsupported data-bearing subcarrier. The CE is determined by settingL_(cp). The numerical value provided by the operator is the value m,which is obtained from the cross-reference table based upon a crossreference of the upstream signal attenuation value. The CE can then bedetermined from the equation: L_(cp)=m*N/64, as provided in ITU G.9701section 10.4.4.

In response to determining that the new CE value is equal to the defaultCE value, the system can apply the default CE value. Application of theCE value assigns the value to the appropriate port that is in connectionwith the analyzed G.Fast cable. Alternatively, in response todetermining that the new cyclic extension value is not equal to thedefault CE value, the system can instead apply the new CE value.

In some embodiments, the processor and the memory of the system areimplemented, at least in part, in a G.Fast distribution point unit(“DPU”). In some other embodiments, the processor and the memory of thesystem are implemented, at least in part, in a component of asoftware-defined network (“SDN”), such as an SDN controller.

It should be appreciated that the above-described subject matter may beimplemented as a computer-controlled apparatus, a computer process, acomputing system, or as an article of manufacture such as acomputer-readable storage medium. These and various other features willbe apparent from a reading of the following Detailed Description and areview of the associated drawings.

Other systems, methods, and/or computer program products according toembodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art uponreview of the following drawings and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, and/or computerprogram products be included within this description, and be within thescope of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of an illustrativeoperating environment for various concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of an orthogonalfrequency-division multiplexing (“OFDM”) transmitter and componentsthereof that can be used to implement various concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating aspects of guard band creation for theprevention of inter-symbol interference (“ISI”) in relation to conceptsdisclosed herein.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method fordynamically determining and applying a G.Fast cyclic extension (“CE”)value, according to an illustrative embodiment of the concepts andtechnologies disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system,according to some illustrative embodiments.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a network, according to an illustrativeembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating aspects of an illustrative cloudenvironment capable of implementing aspects of the embodiments presentedherein.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example mobile device,according to some illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to dynamiccyclic extension (“CE”) for Fast Access to Subscriber Terminals(“G.Fast”). Currently, G.Fast circuits require a technician to measurethe length of cable needed between a distribution point unit (“DPU”) andcustomer premises equipment (“CPE”). The optimum CE value can beselected based upon the measured length of the cable. Alternatively, theCE value can be selected based upon a maximum cable length. Thispractice is likely to yield a longer cable length than necessary. If thecable length estimate is conservatively long, the G.Fast circuit islikely to waste bandwidth that otherwise could be used by a payload. Ifthe cable length estimate is too short, the G.Fast circuit risksinter-symbol interference (“ISI”). Currently, there is no way toautomatically determine the optimum CE length without manualintervention.

While the subject matter described herein is presented in the generalcontext of program modules that execute in conjunction with theexecution of an operating system and application programs on a computersystem, those skilled in the art will recognize that otherimplementations may be performed in combination with other types ofprogram modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs,components, data structures, and other types of structures that performparticular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover,those skilled in the art will appreciate that the subject matterdescribed herein may be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems,microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like.

Turning now to FIG. 1 , an operating environment 100 in whichembodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein will bedescribed. The illustrated operating environment 100 includes a fiberoptic network 102 in communication with a G.Fast distribution point unit(“DPU”) 104 via a fiber optic cable 106 that, in turn, is incommunication with a G.Fast modem 108 via a G.Fast cable 110. The G.Fastmodem 108 allows customer premises equipment (“CPE”) 112 to communicatewith the fiber optic network 102 via the G.Fast DPU 104. Although only asingle fiber optic network 102, G.Fast DPU 104, fiber optic cable 106,G.Fast modem 108, G.Fast cable 110, and CPE 112 are shown in theillustrated embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciateimplementations that include two or more of any of these elements. Forexample, the fiber optic network 102 might communicate with multipleG.Fast DPUs 104 via multiple fiber optic cables 106, and each of theG.Fast DPUs 104 might, in turn, communicate with one or more G. Fastmodems 108 that each allows one or more CPE 112 to communicate back tothe fiber optic network 102 via the G.Fast DPU(s) 104.

The fiber optic network 102 uses fiber optic cables, such as the fiberoptic cable 106, to transmit data between systems, devices, nodes,sub-networks, the G.Fast DPUs 104, and the like using light as a carrierwave to transmit the data over optical fibers. The fiber optic network102 can provide a backhaul network for one or more other network(s) 114,which can be or can include one or more telecommunications networks, theInternet, one or more circuit-switched networks, one or more packetnetworks, combinations thereof, and the like.

The fiber optic network 102 can include any number of sub-networks (notshown). The sub-networks can vary in the number of wavelengths per fiberpair, data rate supported, and/or optical reachability parameters. Thesub-networks can be part of a multi-layer network (not shown), whereinthe IP traffic of a packet-layer is carried by the underlying opticallayer. The fiber optic network 102 can include any number ofregenerators that are used to convert a signal from an optical signal toan electronic signal, to correct any detected errors, and then toconvert the signal back to an optical signal with a better opticalsignal-to-noise ratio. The configuration of the regenerators can beselected based upon the needs of a given implementation. In someembodiments, the fiber optic network 102 can utilize one or morereconfigurable-optical-add-drop multiplexers (“ROADMs”), so that fewerregenerators are needed in the fiber optic network 102. The ROADMs (notshown) can be implemented, at least in part, via a software-definednetwork (“SDN”) 116. The ROADMs, in some embodiments, are colorless anddirectionless, also known as CD-ROADMs. The fiber optic network 102 canbe configured in numerous ways to meet the needs of different use cases.As such, additional details about the architecture of the fiber opticnetwork 102 are not disclosed herein. It should be understood, however,that, in addition to traditional hardware-based network architectures,the fiber optic network 102 can be, can include, or can operate incommunication with the SDN 116 that is controlled by one or more SDNcontrollers 118. Some operations disclosed herein can be performed bythe G.Fast DPU 104, the SDN controller 118, or both, as will bedescribed in greater detail herein below.

In some embodiments, the SDN controller 118 is implemented as astandalone system that includes a combination of hardware and softwarecomponents that work together to provide the functionality describedherein. In other embodiments, the SDN controller 118 is implemented in aphysically distributed way, such as via a cloud computing environment(best shown in FIG. 7 and described herein below with referencethereto). Those skilled in the art will appreciate the numerous designsand deployment scenarios that can be used to implement the SDNcontroller 118 in a real-world network.

The fiber optic network 102 is described herein as using orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing (“OFDM”) as the modulation technique.The concepts and technologies disclosed herein are described based uponOFDM. It should be understood, however, that the fiber optic network 102can use alternative or additional modulation techniques for otheroptical communications. As such, the fiber optic network 102 is notlimited to the use of OFDM as the modulation technique, although someaspects of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein might beapplicable only to OFDM.

The G.Fast DPU 104 is a node that resides at a distribution point wheretelecommunications cables (e.g., traditional copper cables) from acentral office connect to the final copper cable drops into customers'premises (e.g., home or building), such as where the G.Fast modem 108 islocated. The illustrated example provides a simplified architecture inwhich the G.Fast DPU 104 is shown in direct communication with the fiberoptic network 102 via the fiber optic cable 106. Those skilled in theart will appreciate additional nodes, central offices, fiber opticcables, other telecommunications equipment, and the like can beimplemented between the fiber optic network 102 and the G.Fast DPU 104.As such, the illustrated example is used merely for ease of explanationand should not be considered limiting in any way.

The G.Fast DPU 104 can be designed in accordance with referencespecifications provided by the International Telecommunication Union(“ITU”) Telecommunications Standardization Sector (“ITU-T”), theEuropean Telecommunications Standards Institute (“ETSI”), and theBroadband Forum. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that thespecific design of the G.Fast DPU 104 is ultimately a decision made bythe service provider or other entity responsible for deployment of theG.Fast DPU 104. The G.Fast DPU 104 can be an off-the-shelf unitavailable from a vendor or a custom-designed unit.

The illustrated G.Fast DPU 104 is shown having an exemplary architecturethat includes a DPU processing component 120, a DPU memory 122 havingstored thereon a cross-reference table 124 and a CE module 126, andother DPU components 128. The G.Fast DPU 104 can be designed as asystem-on-a-chip (“SoC”) that includes the DPU processing component 120,the DPU memory 122, and the other DPU components 128. The G.Fast DPU 104alternatively can include any of the aforementioned components asstandalone components. The other DPU components 128 can be, for example,one or more optical receivers, one or more optical transmitters, one ormore optical transceivers, one or more G.Fast switches (e.g., g.999.1),one or more digital front-ends (“DFEs”), one or more analog front-ends(“AFEs”), other DPU chipsets, and the like. Those skilled in the artwill appreciate the design of the G.Fast DPU 104 can be selected toaccommodate a particular deployment of the G.Fast DPU 104, and as such,a specific design is not described further herein.

The DPU processing component 120 can be a single core or multi-coreprocessor or combination of multiple processors to process data, toexecute computer-executable instructions, such as those in the CE module126, and to communicate with the DPU memory 122 and the other DPUcomponents 128 to perform various functionality described herein. TheDPU memory 122 can include random access memory (“RAM”), read-onlymemory (“ROM”), integrated storage memory, removable storage memory, orany combination thereof. The DPU memory 122 can be solid state,mechanical hard disk, or a hybrid thereof. The DPU memory 122 is notlimited to any particular memory technology.

As explained above, one of the parameters to be configured for G.Fastdeployments is the CE. The CE value depends on cable length. In theillustrated example, the CE value can be selected based upon themeasured attenuation of the G.Fast cable 110 having length L. If the CEis too small, ISI can result. If the CE is larger than necessary,unneeded overhead is added. In accordance with the concepts andtechnologies disclosed herein, the CE module 126 can be executed by theDPU processing component 120 to select the CE value for a given G.Fastcircuit based upon a measured attenuation of the G.Fast cable (length L)110, and can automatically apply the selected CE value. In this manner,ISI is avoided, user data throughput is not unnecessarily wasted, and atechnician is no longer needed to measure the G.Fast cable 110 inadvance.

Turning briefly to FIGS. 2 and 3 , a general description of CE is nowprovided to aid in understanding the novelty and benefits of theconcepts and technologies disclosed herein. In FIG. 2 , an OFDMtransmitter 200 is illustrated as receiving data 202 as input,processing the data 202 through various functions, including anencoder/interleaver, a serial-to-parallel converter, an N-point inversediscrete Fourier transform (“IDFT”), a parallel-to-serial converter, acyclic prefix inserter, and a digital-to-analog converter, and thenoutputting an OFDM signal 204. The various functions mentioned above arewell-known in the art and are not described in further detail hereinexcept for the insert cyclic prefix function, which inserts the CE valueselected in accordance with the concepts and technologies disclosedherein.

The OFDM transmitter 200 uses mutually orthogonal subcarriers totransmit the data 202 in a spectrally efficient way. The OFDM signal 204output by the OFDM transmitter 200 includes modulated digital symbols inthe time domain. The non-ideal characteristics of a transmission channelwill cause ISI between adjacent OFDM symbols. To prevent ISI, guardbands are used in between the tones in the frequency domain. Creation ofthe guard bands is accomplished by copying a portion of the time-domainsignal and applying that copied portion to the end of the time domainsignal. The copied part of the time-domain signal is the CE. The CE ofthe OFDM signal 204 is the periodic extension of the IDFT output. Anexample of this is illustrated in FIG. 3 . FIG. 3 shows some number ofdiscrete time-domain samples 300 copied from the beginning of a symbol K302 and added to the end of the symbol K 302. In the time domain, thetotal symbol time is the time of the original symbol plus the time ofthe copied and added portion of the symbol. An advantage of this is toovercome ISI. The drawbacks can include increased energy used totransmit the CE and a reduced user data transmission rate.

The CE is used in G.Fast to provide a guard interval between adjacentsymbols, thereby protecting against ISI. ITU G.997.2 section 7.1.1.3defines the CE as the cyclic prefix (L_(cp)), with dimensions of N/64samples, where N is the index of the highest supported data-bearingsubcarrier. The CE is determined by setting L_(cp). The numerical valueprovided by the operator is the value m, where L_(cp)=m*N/64 (Equation1), as provided in ITU G.9701 section 10.4.4.

As mentioned above, a problem with current CE selection is that atechnician must know the length of the G.Fast cable 110 in advance toselect the optimum CE. Alternatively, the technician could select a CEthat corresponds to the maximum cable length that could be encountered.These solutions are not optimal because choosing a CE longer thannecessary wastes user data throughput and electrical power. If the cablelength estimate is conservatively long, bandwidth that could otherwisebe used by the payload is wasted. If the cable length estimate is tooshort, the G.Fast deployment risks ISI. Yet another way to address thisproblem is to measure the exact length of the cable and choose a CElength based upon the exact length. While accurate, this requires thetechnician to measure the G.Fast cable 110, and the measurement has tobe applied to the G.Fast network in the form of a chosen CE. Manyservice providers opt to set the CE for the maximum expected cablelength, but this ultimately yields cable lengths that are too long,which avoids ISI at the expense of wasting data throughput andelectrical power.

The concepts and technologies provide a novel and nonobvious solution tothe aforementioned problems by automatically selecting the optimum CEvalue (i.e., the CE value that avoids both ISI and wasted datathroughput and electrical power) without manual intervention by atechnician. In summary, the CE is one of the configuration parameters ofa G.Fast circuit. Longer cables require a larger CE value to avoid ISI.It is desired to adjust the CE to a smaller value for shorter cables,since the ISI requirement is less stringent, and a larger CE uses upsome of the bandwidth. This additional overhead takes bandwidth awayfrom the end user. Although it is not necessary to have the CE lengthinfinitely adjustable, several different CE lengths are made available.

In accordance with the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, asystem can create a G.Fast circuit with default CE value that is thehighest possible CE value. Then, after the system measures the signalattenuation for the cables used in the G.Fast circuit, the signalattenuation can be used to look up the cable length based on known crossreferences to cable length, such as stored in the cross-reference table124, and to determine what the optimal CE value should be. The systemcan automatically change the CE value to the optimal value. Byautomatically setting the optimal CE value, more bandwidth is availableto the end user because bandwidth is not used to transmit a longer thannecessary CE. This is an improvement over the current state of the artbecause the CE value is optimized without intervention, and withoutknowing the cable length in advance. This is an innovation in theoperation and administration of a service provider's network, inaddition to improving performance for the end user.

Returning to FIG. 1 , the aforementioned method can be implemented in atleast two ways. The DPU 104 can determine and set the CE value, or, inthe case of an SDN implementation, the SDN controller 118 can determineand set the CE value. In the former case, the DPU 104 can measure thesignal attenuation in accordance with ITU G.9701 Amendment 2 Section11.4.1. The CE module 126 can include instructions to add thefunctionality to look up the correct CE value corresponding to thesignal attenuation, to check that CE value against the default CE value,and change the CE value if needed. Alternatively, in the SDN case, theDPU 104 knows the signal attenuation value, as before. However, in thiscase, the signal attenuation value and the default CE value can be sentto the SDN controller 118. The function of determining the required CEvalue, checking that value against the default CE value, and specifyinga change of CE if needed, can be performed by the SDN controller 118 viaexecution of the instructions in the CE module 126.

Turning now to FIG. 4 , a flow diagram illustrating aspects of a method400 for dynamically determining and applying a G.Fast CE value will bedescribed, according to an illustrative embodiment. FIG. 4 will bedescribed with additional reference to FIG. 1 . It should be understoodthat the operations of the methods disclosed herein are not necessarilypresented in any particular order and that performance of some or all ofthe operations in an alternative order(s) is possible and iscontemplated. The operations have been presented in the demonstratedorder for ease of description and illustration. Operations may be added,omitted, and/or performed simultaneously, without departing from thescope of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein.

It also should be understood that the methods disclosed herein can beended at any time and need not be performed in its entirety. Some or alloperations of the methods, and/or substantially equivalent operations,can be performed by execution of computer-readable instructions includedon a computer storage media, as defined herein. The term“computer-readable instructions,” and variants thereof, as used herein,is used expansively to include routines, applications, applicationmodules, program modules, programs, components, data structures,algorithms, and the like. Computer-readable instructions can beimplemented on various system configurations including single-processoror multiprocessor systems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based,programmable consumer electronics, combinations thereof, and the like.

Thus, it should be appreciated that the logical operations describedherein are implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented acts orprogram modules running on a computing system and/or (2) asinterconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within thecomputing system. The implementation is a matter of choice dependent onthe performance and other requirements of the computing system.Accordingly, the logical operations described herein are referred tovariously as states, operations, structural devices, acts, or modules.These states, operations, structural devices, acts, and modules may beimplemented in software, in firmware, in special purpose digital logic,and any combination thereof. As used herein, the phrase “cause aprocessor to perform operations” and variants thereof is used to referto causing a processor of a computing system or device, such as, forexample, the DPU processing component 120 of the DPU 104 or the SDNcontroller 118, to perform one or more operations, and/or causing theprocessor to direct other components of the computing system or deviceto perform one or more of the operations.

For purposes of illustrating and describing the concepts of the presentdisclosure, operations of the methods disclosed herein are described asbeing performed alone or in combination via execution of one or moresoftware modules, and/or other software/firmware components describedherein. It should be understood that additional and/or alternativedevices and/or network nodes can provide the functionality describedherein via execution of one or more modules, applications, and/or othersoftware. Thus, the illustrated embodiments are illustrative, and shouldnot be viewed as being limiting in any way.

The method 400 will be described as being performed by the DPU 104 viaexecution of instructions in the CE module 126, although the operationsalternatively can be performed, at least in part, by the SDN controller118 via execution of a similar CE module 126 instruction set. The method400 begins and proceeds to operation 402, where the G.Fast modem 108synchronizes with a default CE value for the longest G.Fast cable thatcould be encountered in the G.Fast circuit. This value might be thecurrent value used by many service providers—that is, the maximum cablelength that could be encountered.

From operation 402, the method 400 proceeds to operation 404, where theDPU 104 measures the upstream signal attenuation of the G.Fast cable110. The ITU standard specification describes how a DPU, such as the DPU104, can measure the upstream signal attenuation of a deployed cable.The concepts and technologies can adopt this method, but those skilledin the art should understand that other measurement methods are possibleand are contemplated.

From operation 404, the method 400 proceeds to operation 406, where theDPU 104 determines a new CE value based upon the signal attenuationvalue measured at operation 404. In particular, the DPU 104 can use thecross-reference table 124 to determine the new CE value that crossreferences the signal attenuation value. Table 1 below is an example ofthe cross-reference table 124. The minimum and maximum valuescorresponding to each value of m can be determined by measuring cable inadvance of being installed. Table 1 below indicates a way to look up thevalue of m for ranges of measured signal attenuation. The value of m isthen used in Equation 1 (L_(cp)=m*N/64) to determine the new CE value.

TABLE 1 Signal Attenuation (dB) m Min. Max. 4 0 a 8 a b 10 b c 12 c d 14d e 16 e f 20 f g 24 g h 30 h I 33 i j

From operation 406, the method 400 proceeds to operation 408, where theDPU 104 determines if the new CE value is the same as the default CEvalue. If the new CE value and the default CE value are the same, themethod 400 proceeds to operation 410, where the DPU 104 applies thedefault CE value. The method 400 then proceeds to operation 412, wherethe method 400 ends. If, however, the new CE value and the default CEvalue are different, the method 400 instead proceeds from operation 408to operation 414, where the DPU 104 updates the default CE value to thenew CE value. This new CE value is considered the optimal CE value forthe analyzed G.Fast circuit. It should be understood, however, that theoptimal CE value might be higher or lower depending upon the valuesavailable in the table. For example, if the potential values in thetable have a higher granularity, the selected CE value might be furtheroptimized over those with a lower granularity, resulting in potentiallygreater savings in terms of user data throughput and electrical power.From operation 414, the method 400 proceeds to operation 416, where theDPU 104 applies the new CE value to the appropriate DPU port to whichthe analyzed cable is connected. From operation 416, the method 400proceeds to operation 412, where the method 400 ends.

The method 400 can be performed at any time. For example, the DPU 104might be performed prior to deployment of a G.Fast circuit, duringdeployment of a G.Fast circuit, during maintenance to further optimizethe CE value, or at any other time as desired by the service provider.In some embodiments, the DPU 104 can be programmed to perform the method400 after deployment of a G.Fast circuit as a retrofit solution to freeup data throughput and reduce power consumption.

Turning now to FIG. 5 , a block diagram illustrating a computer system500 configured to provide the functionality described herein inaccordance with various embodiments of the concepts and technologiesdisclosed herein. In some embodiments, the CPE 112, and/or otherdevices/systems can be configured as and/or can have an architecturesimilar or identical to the computer system 500 described herein withrespect to FIG. 5 . It should be understood, however, that the CPE 112may or may not include the functionality described herein with referenceto FIG. 5 .

The computer system 500 includes a processing unit 502, a memory 504,one or more user interface devices 506, one or more input/output (“I/O”)devices 508, and one or more network devices 510, each of which isoperatively connected to a system bus 512. The bus 512 enablesbi-directional communication between the processing unit 502, the memory504, the user interface devices 506, the I/O devices 508, and thenetwork devices 510.

The processing unit 502 may be a standard central processor thatperforms arithmetic and logical operations, a more specific purposeprogrammable logic controller (“PLC”), a programmable gate array, orother type of processor known to those skilled in the art and suitablefor controlling the operation of the computer system 500.

The memory 504 communicates with the processing unit 502 via the systembus 512. In some embodiments, the memory 504 is operatively connected toa memory controller (not shown) that enables communication with theprocessing unit 502 via the system bus 512. The memory 504 includes anoperating system 514 and one or more program modules 516. The operatingsystem 514 can include, but is not limited to, members of the WINDOWS,WINDOWS CE, and/or WINDOWS MOBILE families of operating systems fromMICROSOFT CORPORATION, the LINUX family of operating systems, theSYMBIAN family of operating systems from SYMBIAN LIMITED, the BREWfamily of operating systems from QUALCOMM CORPORATION, the MAC OS,and/or iOS families of operating systems from APPLE CORPORATION, theFREEBSD family of operating systems, the SOLARIS family of operatingsystems from ORACLE CORPORATION, other operating systems, and the like.

The program modules 516 may include various software and/or programmodules described herein. By way of example, and not limitation,computer-readable media may include any available computer storage mediaor communication media that can be accessed by the computer system 500.Communication media includes computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signalsuch as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes anydelivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that hasone or more of its characteristics changed or set in a manner as toencode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,communication media includes wired media such as a wired network ordirect-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the aboveshould also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

Computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable andnon-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storageof information such as computer-readable instructions, data structures,program modules, or other data. Computer storage media includes, but isnot limited to, RAM, ROM, Erasable Programmable ROM (“EPROM”),Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (“EEPROM”), flash memory or othersolid state memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (“DVD”),or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich can be used to store the desired information and which can beaccessed by the computer system 500. In the claims, the phrase “computerstorage medium,” “computer-readable storage medium,” and variationsthereof does not include waves or signals per se and/or communicationmedia.

The user interface devices 506 may include one or more devices withwhich a user accesses the computer system 500. The user interfacedevices 506 may include, but are not limited to, computers, servers,personal digital assistants, cellular phones, or any suitable computingdevices. The I/O devices 508 enable a user to interface with the programmodules 516. In one embodiment, the I/O devices 508 are operativelyconnected to an I/O controller (not shown) that enables communicationwith the processing unit 502 via the system bus 512. The I/O devices 508may include one or more input devices, such as, but not limited to, akeyboard, a mouse, or an electronic stylus. Further, the I/O devices 508may include one or more output devices, such as, but not limited to, adisplay screen or a printer to output data.

The network devices 510 enable the computer system 500 to communicatewith other networks or remote systems via one or more networks 518, suchas created, at least in part, by the G.Fast modem 108 (e.g., a customerpremises network). The network 518 additionally or alternatively caninclude the fiber optic network 102, the other network(s) 114, the SDN116, or any combination thereof. Examples of the network devices 510include, but are not limited to, a modem, a radio frequency (“RF”) orinfrared (“IR”) transceiver, a telephonic interface, a bridge, a router,or a network card. The network(s) may include a wireless network suchas, but not limited to, a WLAN such as a WI-FI network, a WWAN, aWireless Personal Area Network (“WPAN”) such as BLUETOOTH, a WMAN suchas a WiMAX network, or a cellular network. Alternatively, the network(s)may be a wired network such as, but not limited to, a WAN such as theInternet, a LAN, a wired PAN, or a wired MAN.

Turning now to FIG. 6 , additional details of an embodiment of the othernetwork 114 are illustrated, according to an illustrative embodiment.The other network 114 includes a cellular network 602, a packet datanetwork 604, for example, the Internet, and a circuit switched network606, for example, a publicly switched telephone network (“PSTN”). Thecellular network 602 includes various components such as, but notlimited to, base transceiver stations (“BTSs”), Node-B's or e-Node-B's,base station controllers (“BSCs”), radio network controllers (“RNCs”),mobile switching centers (“MSCs”), mobile management entities (“MMEs”),short message service centers (“SMSCs”), multimedia messaging servicecenters (“MMSCs”), home location registers (“HLRs”), home subscriberservers (“HSSs”), visitor location registers (“VLRs”), chargingplatforms, billing platforms, voicemail platforms, GPRS core networkcomponents, location service nodes, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (“IMS”),and the like. The cellular network 602 also includes radios and nodesfor receiving and transmitting voice, data, and combinations thereof toand from radio transceivers, networks, the packet data network 604, andthe circuit switched network 606.

A mobile communications device 608, such as, for example, a user device,a cellular telephone, a user equipment, a mobile terminal, a PDA, alaptop computer, a handheld computer, and combinations thereof, can beoperatively connected to the cellular network 602. The cellular network602 can be configured as a 2G GSM network and can provide datacommunications via GPRS and/or EDGE. Additionally, or alternatively, thecellular network 602 can be configured as a 3G UMTS network and canprovide data communications via the HSPA protocol family, for example,HSDPA, EUL (also referred to as HSDPA), and HSPA+. The cellular network602 also is compatible with 4G mobile communications standards as wellas evolved and future mobile standards.

The packet data network 604 includes various devices, for example,servers, computers, databases, and other devices in communication withone another, as is generally known. The packet data network 604 devicesare accessible via one or more network links. The servers often storevarious files that are provided to a requesting device such as, forexample, a computer, a terminal, a smartphone, or the like. Typically,the requesting device includes software (a “browser”) for executing aweb page in a format readable by the browser or other software. Otherfiles and/or data may be accessible via “links” in the retrieved files,as is generally known. In some embodiments, the packet data network 604includes or is in communication with the Internet. The circuit switchednetwork 606 includes various hardware and software for providing circuitswitched communications. The circuit switched network 606 may include,or may be, what is often referred to as a plain old telephone system(“POTS”). The functionality of a circuit switched network 606 or othercircuit-switched network are generally known and will not be describedherein in detail.

The illustrated cellular network 602 is shown in communication with thepacket data network 604 and a circuit switched network 606, though itshould be appreciated that this is not necessarily the case. One or moreInternet-capable devices 610, a personal computer (“PC”), a laptop, aportable device, or another suitable device, can communicate with one ormore cellular networks 602, and devices connected thereto, through thepacket data network 604. It also should be appreciated that theInternet-capable device 610 can communicate with the packet data network604 through the circuit switched network 606, the cellular network 602,and/or via other networks (not illustrated).

As illustrated, a communications device 612, for example, a telephone,facsimile machine, modem, computer, or the like, can be in communicationwith the circuit switched network 606, and therethrough to the packetdata network 604 and/or the cellular network 602. It should beappreciated that the communications device 612 can be anInternet-capable device, and can be substantially similar to theInternet-capable device 610. In the specification, the other network 114may be used to refer broadly to any combination of the networks 602,604, 606. It should be appreciated that substantially all of thefunctionality described with reference to the other network 114 can beperformed by the cellular network 602, the packet data network 604,and/or the circuit switched network 606, alone or in combination withother networks, network elements, and the like.

Turning now to FIG. 7 , an illustrative cloud environment 700 will bedescribed, according to an illustrative embodiment. The cloudenvironment 700 includes a physical environment 702, a virtualizationlayer 704, and a virtual environment 706. While no connections are shownin FIG. 7 , it should be understood that some, none, or all of thecomponents illustrated in FIG. 7 can be configured to interact with oneanother to carry out various functions described herein. In someembodiments, the components are arranged so as to communicate via one ormore networks. Thus, it should be understood that FIG. 7 and theremaining description are intended to provide a general understanding ofa suitable environment in which various aspects of the embodimentsdescribed herein can be implemented, and should not be construed asbeing limiting in any way.

The physical environment 702 provides hardware resources, which, in theillustrated embodiment, include one or more physical compute resources708, one or more physical memory resources 710, and one or more otherphysical resources 712. The physical compute resource(s) 708 can includeone or more hardware components that perform computations to processdata and/or to execute computer-executable instructions of one or moreapplication programs, one or more operating systems, and/or othersoftware.

The physical compute resources 708 can include one or more centralprocessing units (“CPUs”) configured with one or more processing cores.The physical compute resources 708 can include one or more graphicsprocessing unit (“GPU”) configured to accelerate operations performed byone or more CPUs, and/or to perform computations to process data, and/orto execute computer-executable instructions of one or more applicationprograms, one or more operating systems, and/or other software that mayor may not include instructions particular to graphics computations. Insome embodiments, the physical compute resources 708 can include one ormore discrete GPUs. In some other embodiments, the physical computeresources 708 can include CPU and GPU components that are configured inaccordance with a co-processing CPU/GPU computing model, wherein thesequential part of an application executes on the CPU and thecomputationally-intensive part is accelerated by the GPU processingcapabilities. The physical compute resources 708 can include one or moresystem-on-chip (“SoC”) components along with one or more othercomponents, including, for example, one or more of the physical memoryresources 710, and/or one or more of the other physical resources 712.In some embodiments, the physical compute resources 708 can be or caninclude one or more SNAPDRAGON SoCs, available from QUALCOMM of SanDiego, Calif.; one or more TEGRA SoCs, available from NVIDIA of SantaClara, Calif.; one or more HUMMINGBIRD SoCs, available from SAMSUNG ofSeoul, South Korea; one or more Open Multimedia Application Platform(“OMAP”) SoCs, available from TEXAS INSTRUMENTS of Dallas, Tex.; one ormore customized versions of any of the above SoCs; and/or one or moreproprietary SoCs. The physical compute resources 708 can be or caninclude one or more hardware components architected in accordance withan ARM architecture, available for license from ARM HOLDINGS ofCambridge, United Kingdom. Alternatively, the physical compute resources708 can be or can include one or more hardware components architected inaccordance with an x86 architecture, such an architecture available fromINTEL CORPORATION of Mountain View, Calif., and others. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate the implementation of the physical computeresources 708 can utilize various computation architectures, and assuch, the physical compute resources 708 should not be construed asbeing limited to any particular computation architecture or combinationof computation architectures, including those explicitly disclosedherein.

The physical memory resource(s) 710 can include one or more hardwarecomponents that perform storage/memory operations, including temporaryor permanent storage operations. In some embodiments, the physicalmemory resource(s) 710 include volatile and/or non-volatile memoryimplemented in any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, orother data disclosed herein. Computer storage media includes, but is notlimited to, random access memory (“RAM”), read-only memory (“ROM”),Erasable Programmable ROM (“EPROM”), Electrically Erasable ProgrammableROM (“EEPROM”), flash memory or other solid state memory technology,CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (“DVD”), or other optical storage,magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or othermagnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to storedata and which can be accessed by the physical compute resources 708.

The other physical resource(s) 712 can include any other hardwareresources that can be utilized by the physical compute resources(s) 708and/or the physical memory resource(s) 710 to perform operationsdescribed herein. The other physical resource(s) 712 can include one ormore input and/or output processors (e.g., network interface controlleror wireless radio), one or more modems, one or more codec chipset, oneor more pipeline processors, one or more fast Fourier transform (“FFT”)processors, one or more digital signal processors (“DSPs”), one or morespeech synthesizers, and/or the like.

The physical resources operating within the physical environment 702 canbe virtualized by one or more virtual machine monitors (not shown; alsoknown as “hypervisors”) operating within the virtualization/controllayer 704 to create virtual resources that reside in the virtualenvironment 706. The virtual machine monitors can be or can includesoftware, firmware, and/or hardware that alone or in combination withother software, firmware, and/or hardware, creates and manages virtualresources operating within the virtual environment 706.

The virtual resources operating within the virtual environment 706 caninclude abstractions of at least a portion of the physical computeresources 708 (shown as virtual compute resources 714), the physicalmemory resources 710 (shown as virtual memory resources 716), and/or theother physical resources 712 (shown as other virtual resources 718), orany combination thereof. In some embodiments, the abstractions caninclude one or more virtual machines upon which one or more applicationscan be executed. In some embodiments, one or more components of the SDN116, the SDN controller 118, the fiber optic network 102, the othernetwork(s) 114, the DPU 104, the G.Fast modem 108, the CPE 112, and/orother elements disclosed herein can be implemented in the virtualenvironment 706.

Turning now to FIG. 8 , an illustrative mobile device 800 and componentsthereof will be described. In some embodiments, the CPE 112 describedabove with reference to FIG. 1 can be configured as and/or can have anarchitecture similar or identical to the mobile device 800 describedherein with respect to FIG. 8 . It should be understood, however, thatthe CPE 112 may or may not include the functionality described hereinwith reference to FIG. 8 . While connections are not shown between thevarious components illustrated in FIG. 8 , it should be understood thatsome, none, or all of the components illustrated in FIG. 8 can beconfigured to interact with one another to carry out various devicefunctions. In some embodiments, the components are arranged so as tocommunicate via one or more busses (not shown). Thus, it should beunderstood that FIG. 8 and the following description are intended toprovide a general understanding of a suitable environment in whichvarious aspects of embodiments can be implemented, and should not beconstrued as being limiting in any way.

As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the mobile device 800 can include a display802 for displaying data. According to various embodiments, the display802 can be configured to display any information. The mobile device 800also can include a processor 804 and a memory or other data storagedevice (“memory”) 806. The processor 804 can be configured to processdata and/or can execute computer-executable instructions stored in thememory 806. The computer-executable instructions executed by theprocessor 804 can include, for example, an operating system 808, one ormore applications 810, other computer-executable instructions stored inthe memory 806, or the like. In some embodiments, the applications 810also can include a UI application (not illustrated in FIG. 8 ).

The UI application can interface with the operating system 808 tofacilitate user interaction with functionality and/or data stored at themobile device 800 and/or stored elsewhere. In some embodiments, theoperating system 808 can include a member of the SYMBIAN OS family ofoperating systems from SYMBIAN LIMITED, a member of the WINDOWS MOBILEOS and/or WINDOWS PHONE OS families of operating systems from MICROSOFTCORPORATION, a member of the PALM WEBOS family of operating systems fromHEWLETT PACKARD CORPORATION, a member of the BLACKBERRY OS family ofoperating systems from RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED, a member of the IOSfamily of operating systems from APPLE INC., a member of the ANDROID OSfamily of operating systems from GOOGLE INC., and/or other operatingsystems. These operating systems are merely illustrative of somecontemplated operating systems that may be used in accordance withvarious embodiments of the concepts and technologies described hereinand therefore should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

The UI application can be executed by the processor 804 to aid a user inanswering/initiating calls, entering/deleting other data, entering andsetting user IDs and passwords for device access, configuring settings,manipulating address book content and/or settings, multimodeinteraction, interacting with other applications 810, and otherwisefacilitating user interaction with the operating system 808, theapplications 810, and/or other types or instances of data 812 that canbe stored at the mobile device 800.

According to various embodiments, the applications 810 can include, forexample, a web browser application, presence applications, visual voicemail applications, messaging applications, text-to-speech andspeech-to-text applications, add-ons, plug-ins, email applications,music applications, video applications, camera applications,location-based service applications, power conservation applications,game applications, productivity applications, entertainmentapplications, enterprise applications, combinations thereof, and thelike. The applications 810, the data 812, and/or portions thereof can bestored in the memory 806 and/or in a firmware 814, and can be executedby the processor 804. The firmware 814 also can store code for executionduring device power up and power down operations. It should beappreciated that the firmware 814 can be stored in a volatile ornon-volatile data storage device including, but not limited to, thememory 806 and/or a portion thereof.

The mobile device 800 also can include an input/output (“I/O”) interface816. The I/O interface 816 can be configured to support the input/outputof data. In some embodiments, the I/O interface 816 can include ahardwire connection such as a universal serial bus (“USB”) port, amini-USB port, a micro-USB port, an audio jack, a PS2 port, an IEEE 1394(“FIREWIRE”) port, a serial port, a parallel port, an Ethernet (RJ45)port, an RJ11 port, a proprietary port, combinations thereof, or thelike. In some embodiments, the mobile device 800 can be configured tosynchronize with another device to transfer content to and/or from themobile device 800. In some embodiments, the mobile device 800 can beconfigured to receive updates to one or more of the applications 810 viathe I/O interface 816, though this is not necessarily the case. In someembodiments, the I/O interface 816 accepts I/O devices such askeyboards, keypads, mice, interface tethers, printers, plotters,external storage, touch/multi-touch screens, touch pads, trackballs,joysticks, microphones, remote control devices, displays, projectors,medical equipment (e.g., stethoscopes, heart monitors, and other healthmetric monitors), modems, routers, external power sources, dockingstations, combinations thereof, and the like. It should be appreciatedthat the I/O interface 816 may be used for communications between themobile device 800 and a network device or local device.

The mobile device 800 also can include a communications component 818.The communications component 818 can be configured to interface with theprocessor 804 to facilitate wired and/or wireless communications withone or more of the networks described herein. In some embodiments, thecommunications component 818 includes a multimode communicationssubsystem for facilitating communications via the cellular network andone or more other networks.

The communications component 818, in some embodiments, includes one ormore transceivers. The one or more transceivers, if included, can beconfigured to communicate over the same and/or different wirelesstechnology standards with respect to one another. For example, in someembodiments one or more of the transceivers of the communicationscomponent 818 may be configured to communicate using GSM, CDMAONE,CDMA2000, LTE, and various other 2G, 2.5G, 3G, 4G, 5G and greatergeneration technology standards. Moreover, the communications component818 may facilitate communications over various channel access methods(which may or may not be used by the aforementioned standards)including, but not limited to, TDMA, FDMA, W-CDMA, OFDM, SDMA, and thelike.

In addition, the communications component 818 may facilitate datacommunications using GPRS, EDGE, the HSPA protocol family includingHSDPA, EUL or otherwise termed HSDPA, HSPA+, and various other currentand future wireless data access standards. In the illustratedembodiment, the communications component 818 can include a firsttransceiver (“TxRx”) 820A that can operate in a first communicationsmode (e.g., GSM). The communications component 818 also can include anN^(th) transceiver (“TxRx”) 820N that can operate in a secondcommunications mode relative to the first transceiver 820A (e.g., UMTS).While two transceivers 820A-N (hereinafter collectively and/orgenerically referred to as “transceivers 820”) are shown in FIG. 8 , itshould be appreciated that less than two, two, or more than twotransceivers 820 can be included in the communications component 818.

The communications component 818 also can include an alternativetransceiver (“Alt TxRx”) 822 for supporting other types and/or standardsof communications. According to various contemplated embodiments, thealternative transceiver 822 can communicate using various communicationstechnologies such as, for example, WI-FI, WIMAX, BLUETOOTH, BLE,infrared, infrared data association (“IRDA”), near field communications(“NFC”), other RF technologies, combinations thereof, and the like.

In some embodiments, the communications component 818 also canfacilitate reception from terrestrial radio networks, digital satelliteradio networks, internet-based radio service networks, combinationsthereof, and the like. The communications component 818 can process datafrom a network such as the Internet, an intranet, a broadband network, aWI-FI hotspot, an Internet service provider (“ISP”), a digitalsubscriber line (“DSL”) provider, a broadband provider, combinationsthereof, or the like.

The mobile device 800 also can include one or more sensors 824. Thesensors 824 can include temperature sensors, light sensors, air qualitysensors, movement sensors, orientation sensors, noise sensors, proximitysensors, or the like. As such, it should be understood that the sensors824 can include, but are not limited to, accelerometers, magnetometers,gyroscopes, infrared sensors, noise sensors, microphones, combinationsthereof, or the like. One or more of the sensors 824 can be used todetect movement of the mobile device 800. Additionally, audiocapabilities for the mobile device 800 may be provided by an audio I/Ocomponent 826. The audio I/O component 826 of the mobile device 800 caninclude one or more speakers for the output of audio signals, one ormore microphones for the collection and/or input of audio signals,and/or other audio input and/or output devices.

The illustrated mobile device 800 also can include a subscriber identitymodule (“SIM”) system 828. The SIM system 828 can include a universalSIM (“USIM”), a universal integrated circuit card (“UICC”) and/or otheridentity devices. The SIM system 828 can include and/or can be connectedto or inserted into an interface such as a slot interface 830. In someembodiments, the slot interface 830 can be configured to acceptinsertion of other identity cards or modules for accessing various typesof networks. Additionally, or alternatively, the slot interface 830 canbe configured to accept multiple subscriber identity cards. Becauseother devices and/or modules for identifying users and/or the mobiledevice 800 are contemplated, it should be understood that theseembodiments are illustrative, and should not be construed as beinglimiting in any way.

The mobile device 800 also can include an image capture and processingsystem 832 (“image system”). The image system 832 can be configured tocapture or otherwise obtain photos, videos, and/or other visualinformation. As such, the image system 832 can include cameras, lenses,charge-coupled devices (“CCDs”), combinations thereof, or the like. Themobile device 800 may also include a video system 834. The video system834 can be configured to capture, process, record, modify, and/or storevideo content. Photos and videos obtained using the image system 832 andthe video system 834, respectively, may be added as message content toan MMS message, email message, and sent to another mobile device. Thevideo and/or photo content also can be shared with other devices viavarious types of data transfers via wired and/or wireless communicationdevices as described herein.

The mobile device 800 also can include one or more location components836. The location components 836 can be configured to send and/orreceive signals to determine a location of the mobile device 800.According to various embodiments, the location components 836 can sendand/or receive signals from GPS devices, assisted-GPS (“A-GPS”) devices,WI-FI/WIMAX and/or cellular network triangulation data, combinationsthereof, and the like. The location component 836 also can be configuredto communicate with the communications component 818 to retrievetriangulation data for determining a location of the mobile device 800.In some embodiments, the location component 836 can interface withcellular network nodes, telephone lines, satellites, locationtransmitters and/or beacons, wireless network transmitters andreceivers, combinations thereof, and the like. In some embodiments, thelocation component 836 can include and/or can communicate with one ormore of the sensors 824 such as a compass, an accelerometer, and/or agyroscope to determine the orientation of the mobile device 800. Usingthe location component 836, the mobile device 800 can generate and/orreceive data to identify its geographic location, or to transmit dataused by other devices to determine the location of the mobile device800. The location component 836 may include multiple components fordetermining the location and/or orientation of the mobile device 800.

The illustrated mobile device 800 also can include a power source 838.The power source 838 can include one or more batteries, power supplies,power cells, and/or other power subsystems including alternating current(“AC”) and/or direct current (“DC”) power devices. The power source 838also can interface with an external power system or charging equipmentvia a power I/O component 840. Because the mobile device 800 can includeadditional and/or alternative components, the above embodiment should beunderstood as being illustrative of one possible operating environmentfor various embodiments of the concepts and technologies describedherein. The described embodiment of the mobile device 800 isillustrative, and should not be construed as being limiting in any way.

Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that aspects of dynamicCE for G.Fast have been disclosed herein. Although the subject matterpresented herein has been described in language specific to computerstructural features, methodological and transformative acts, specificcomputing machinery, and computer-readable media, it is to be understoodthat the concepts and technologies disclosed herein are not necessarilylimited to the specific features, acts, or media described herein.Rather, the specific features, acts and mediums are disclosed as exampleforms of implementing the concepts and technologies disclosed herein.

The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustrationonly and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications andchanges may be made to the subject matter described herein withoutfollowing the example embodiments and applications illustrated anddescribed, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of theembodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: determining, by a fastaccess to subscriber terminal (“G.Fast”) distribution point unit (“DPU”)comprising a DPU processing component, that a new cyclic extension valuedetermined by the G.Fast DPU is not equal to a default cyclic extensionvalue; updating, by the G.Fast DPU, a cyclic extension value for aG.Fast cable in a G.Fast circuit to the new cyclic extension value; andmeasuring, by the G.Fast DPU, an upstream attenuation of the G.Fastcable in the G.Fast circuit to obtain an upstream signal attenuationvalue.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising synchronizing aG.Fast modem with the default cyclic extension value.
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein synchronizing the G.Fast modem with the default cyclicextension value comprises synchronizing the G.Fast modem with thedefault cyclic extension value for a longest G.Fast cable in the G.Fastcircuit.
 4. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining, bythe G.Fast DPU, the new cyclic extension value based upon the upstreamsignal attenuation value.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining,by the G.Fast DPU, the new cyclic extension value based upon theupstream signal attenuation value comprises determining, by the G.FastDPU, the new cyclic extension value based upon the upstream signalattenuation value, at least in part, by using a cross-reference table todetermine the new cyclic extension value that cross references theupstream signal attenuation value.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising applying, by the G.Fast DPU, the new cyclic extension value.7. A fast access to subscriber terminal (“G.Fast”) distribution pointunit (“DPU”) system comprising: a DPU processing component; and a DPUmemory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the DPUprocessing component, cause the DPU processing component to performoperations comprising determining that a new cyclic extension valuedetermined by the G.Fast DPU is not equal to a default cyclic extensionvalue, updating a cyclic extension value for a G.Fast cable in a G.Fastcircuit to the new cyclic extension value, and measuring an upstreamattenuation of the G.Fast cable in the G.Fast circuit to obtain anupstream signal attenuation value.
 8. The G.Fast DPU system of claim 7,wherein the operations further comprise synchronizing a G.Fast modemwith the default cyclic extension value.
 9. The G.Fast DPU system ofclaim 8, wherein synchronizing the G.Fast modem with the default cyclicextension value comprises synchronizing the G.Fast modem with thedefault cyclic extension value for a longest G.Fast cable in the G.Fastcircuit.
 10. The G.Fast DPU system of claim 9, wherein the operationsfurther comprise determining the new cyclic extension value based uponthe upstream signal attenuation value.
 11. The G.Fast DPU system ofclaim 10, wherein determining the new cyclic extension value based uponthe upstream signal attenuation value comprises determining the newcyclic extension value based upon the upstream signal attenuation value,at least in part, by using a cross-reference table to determine the newcyclic extension value that cross references the upstream signalattenuation value.
 12. The G.Fast DPU system of claim 11, wherein theoperations further comprise applying the new cyclic extension value. 13.A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executableinstructions stored thereon that, when executed by a fast access tosubscriber terminal (“G.Fast”) distribution point unit (“DPU”)processing component, cause the G.Fast DPU processing component toperform operations comprising: determining that a new cyclic extensionvalue determined by the G.Fast DPU is not equal to a default cyclicextension value; updating a cyclic extension value for a G.Fast cable ina G.Fast circuit to the new cyclic extension value; measuring anupstream signal attenuation of the G.Fast cable in the G.Fast circuit toobtain an upstream signal attenuation value; and determining the newcyclic extension value based upon the upstream signal attenuation value.14. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 13, wherein theoperations further comprise synchronizing a G.Fast modem with thedefault cyclic extension value.
 15. The computer-readable storage mediumof claim 14, wherein synchronizing the G.Fast modem with the defaultcyclic extension value comprises synchronizing the G.Fast modem with thedefault cyclic extension value for a longest G.Fast cable in the G.Fastcircuit.
 16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, whereindetermining the new cyclic extension value based upon the upstreamsignal attenuation value comprises determining the new cyclic extensionvalue based upon the upstream signal attenuation value, at least inpart, by using a cross-reference table to determine the new cyclicextension value that cross references the upstream signal attenuationvalue.
 17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 16, wherein theoperations further comprise applying the new cyclic extension value.